Martin Doherty Irish lyrics and chords

Written By Seoirse MacDomhnalll, 1994. To the tune of Brennan On The MoorMartin "Doco" Doherty was born in Finglas, Co. Dublin in 1958. He joined the Dublin Brigade of the Provisional IRA at the time of the Hunger Strikes. He served a term in Portlaoise for IRA actions, and then was arrested in England while on active service, but had the good luck to be released due to lack of evidence. On 21 May 1994 he was acting as a doorman/guard at a Republican POW Benefit concert by the Irish Brigade band held at the Widow Scallan's pub in Pearse Street, Dublin. He identified and confronted a UVF death squad armed with a large bomb and guns, and in the ensuing struggle prevented them from bringing the bomb into the premises. The UVF shot and killed the unarmed Doherty as they fled the scene. His selfless actions prevented many deaths. "Greater love hath no man..."

(Spoken) Stick town Dublin the Daneman built it Stone town Dublin the Norman walled it Bad town Dublin the English cursed it Our town Dublin we Irish hold it...Its[C] of a brave young Volunteer this[G7] story I'll re[C]lateWho[C] saved the lives of many but in[F] Dublin met his [C]fateAt the[Am] hands of brutal cowards who[F] came to maim and[C] killBut [F]they met with Martin Do[C]herty and by God they're running [Em]still.

Now Martin was a veteran of service long and hardHis post that night in Pearse Street Widow Scallan's pub to guardHe belonged to our old Dublin Brigade with it's valiant historyBut none was ever braver than young "Doco" Doherty.

For Doherty was thereDoherty was thereYoung, strong, courageousMartin Doherty was there.

"Twas on that night in Pearse Street a concert it was heldTo aid our Irish prisoners locked up in British cellsIn the hall above the band did play and dancers fought the floorWhile down below was Martin with his eye upon the door

For Doherty was thereDoherty was thereYoung, strong, courageousMartin Doherty was there.

Now Martin spied the UVF come skulking through the nightHe quickly stepped out to the street and boldly he did fightThey'd a mighty bomb of Semtex and pistols in their handsBut they thought they'd met the Devil when Doherty made his stand.

For Doherty was thereDoherty was thereYoung, strong, courageousMartin Doherty was there.

Those cowards left their bomb unprimed, their only thought was flightThey learned that bad town Dublin was no place for them that nightThey basely fled one Volunteer with no wepons in his handBut with their guns they slaughtered Martin Doherty as they ran.

For Doherty was thereDoherty was thereYoung, strong, courageousMartin Doherty was there.

The useless cops, late on the scene, viewed Martin lying lowThey sniggered and the chuckled "There's one less Provo now"But the people from the hall above they spoke up loud and clear"Ye Blueshirt hoors, we'd all be dead but for that Volunteer!'

For Doherty was thereDoherty was thereYoung, strong, courageousMartin Doherty was there.

His funeral, seen round the world, it showed Britannia clearThat though they try to kill us they instill in us no fearFor thousands lined the streets that day to bid a last farewellTo this young man from Dublin town who lived and died so well.

For Doherty was thereDoherty was thereYoung, strong, courageousMartin Doherty was there.